Furniture formed of arcuate and cylindrical members

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with chairs, bed, sofas, tables, bookshelves, and other articles of furniture, which are formed of arcuate and cylindrical members which may be derived, for example, by cutting cardboard tubes into appropriate shapes. However, it will become evident as the description proceeds that although cardboard is a suitable material for the furniture, the furniture may be formed of arcuate and cylindrical members composed of metal, fiberglass, plastic, wood, or any other appropriate material, and the members need not necessarily be formed by cutting tubular members into the desired shapes.

United States Patent 9] Hull [ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [54] FURNITURE FORMED OF ARCUATE AND CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS [76] Inventor: James R. Hull, 10910 Kenross Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 22 Filed: July 2,1971

21 Appl.No.: 159,410

52 vs. C] ..297/445, 297/442 51 Int. Cl ..A47c 7/00, A47c 7/20 [58] Field of Search ..297 440, 443,445,446

[56 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,425,884 8/1947 Janssen ..297/457 X Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Jessup & Beecher [57] ABSTRACT The invention is concerned with chairs, bed, sofas, tables, bookshelves, and other articles of furniture, which are formed of arcuate and cylindrical members which may be derived, for example, by cutting cardboard tubes into appropriate shapes. However, it will become evident as the description proceeds that although cardboard is a suitable material for the furniture, the furniture may be formed of arcuate and cylindrical members composed of metal, fiberglass, plastic, wood, or any other appropriate material, and the members need not necessarily be formed by cutting tubular members into the desired shapes.

8 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Patented March 27, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented March 27, 1973 3,722,953

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jame! //u// MAM FURNITURE FORMED OF ARCUATE AND CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to provide furniture of unique shapes, and which is exceedingly comfortable to sit or lie on, for example, and which can be, for example, produced inexpensively and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The basic concept for the furniture of the invention is to cut tubular members of cardboard, or other material, of a diameter of 2 feet or 3 feet, for example, into arcuate-shaped elements which form the seats and backs, for example, of the chairs and couches, and into other elements which form the bases for the seats and backs. However, it will become evident as the description proceeds, and as mentioned above, the furniture of the invention can be formed by directly shaping the material, such as fiberglass, plastic, metal or the like, into the desired arcuate shapes, rather than forming the elements from tubular members.

The arcuate and cylindrical elements may be covered with fabric, or colored to enhance the esthetic appeal of the furniture. Foam pads, which also may be fabric covered, may also be used as cushions on the supporting surfaces of the furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a side elevation of a chair formed in accordance with the concepts of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the chair of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a perspective representation of the chair of FIGS. 1A and 1B, and showing foam cylinders mounted on the arcuate supporting surface of the chair, to form a cushion;

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of a couch, or sofa, having a generally similar configuration to the chair of FIGS. lA-IC;

FIG. 3 is a further article of furniture following the concepts of the invention and in the form, for example, of an armchair;

FIG. 4A is a side elevation of yet a further chair constructed to incorporate the teachings of the invention; FIG. 4B is a perspective representation of the chair of FIG. 4A; FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the chair of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an end elevation of a lounge or' bed constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5B is a side elevation of the lounge of FIG. 5A; FIG. 5C is a perspective representation of the lounge shown in FIGS. 5A and 58;

FIG. 6A is a side elevation of a chair representing yet another embodiment; FIG. 6B is a front perspective of the chair of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6C is a side perspective of thechair of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cabinet, or bookcase, incorporating the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a horizontal cabinet, or bookcase incorporating the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The chair shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C is formed, inexpensively, for example, of two elements. A first element I0 is formed, for example, by cutting a 3 foot diameter cardboard tube to a desired length, so as to provide a desired width for the chair, and by then cutting the cylinder, so that a split section is used. The split section is designated 10, and it forms an arcuate surface which constitutes the seat and back of the chair.

A second cardboard tube which may, for example, have a diameter of 2 feet is cut to an appropriate length, so as to form the base 12 of the chair. The upper end ofthe base 12 may be curved, as best shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C so as to receive the split section 10 of the first element. The two elements are attached together by any appropriate adhesive, so as to form the chair.

Again, it should be pointed out that although the chair of FIGS. IA, 18 and 1C may conveniently be formed from cardboard tubes, as mentioned above, the chair could also be formed of other materials such as fiberglass, plastic, or metal, and the various materials may be directly shaped into the desired elements, without originally forming the elements from tubular members.

A plurality of elongated cylinders 14, 15 and 16 may be mounted on the arcuate surface of the element 10, as best shown in FIG. 1C. These cylinders serve as a cushion for the chair, and they appropriately have different diameters so as to constitute a good fit for the body, so that the chair will be extremely comfortable. For example, the cylinders 14 may have a diameter of four inches, the cylinders 15 may have a diameter of 5 inches, and the cylinders 16 may have a diameter of 6 inches, the cylinders being arranged as shown in FIG. 1C for optimum comfort. The cylinders may be formed, for example, of polyurethane foam plastic, and may be covered by any appropriate fabric, or other material. The fabric, or the cylinders themselves, may be colored or incorporate designs, to enhance 'the esthetic appeal of the chair.

The chair shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, as well as the other articles of furniture to be described, are most advantageous in that they are light, cheap, and very comfortable. Moreover, the articles may be formed in a variety of appealing shapes and sizes.

The representation of FIG. 2 is of a couch or sofa which incorporates a first element 20, which may be similar to the element 10, but longer, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, a pair of further elements 22 and 24 may be used as base supports for the element 20. The elements 22 and 24 may be similar to the element 12, or may, as shown, be formed of a split cylindrical member. The couch of FIG. 2, likewise, may incorporate the foam cylinders shown in FIG. 1C, or other appropriate cushioning elements. The couch or sofa of FIG. 2 may be made in any desired length, and multiple bases may be placed along the length so that adequate support may be provided.

Another variation is shown in the armchair of FIG. 3, and which includes a first element 23 which may be generally similar to the element 10, and a second element 25 shaped as illustrated, so as to provide arms and legs for the chair.

The upright chair of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C incorporates a cylindrical base 30 having a seat 32 mounted at the upper end of the base. The seat 32 may, for example, be a pad of foam plastic, covered by an appropriate fabric, and adhesively secured to the top of the base 30. A second cylindrical-shaped element 34 is attached to the base 30 by radial members 36, for example, or by other appropriate means. The cylindrical member 34 is appropriately shaped, as shown, so as to constitute the arms and back of the upright chair.

The concept of the invention may also be used in the provision of a lounge or bed, such as shown in the representation of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. In the latter representation, a first cylindrical member 50 is supported in a horizontal manner by a second support element 52. Both the support elements 50 and 52 have a generally cylindrical shape, and both may be formed from tubes of cardboard, or other appropriate material, such as described above. The elements 50 and 52 are shaped, as shown, or in any other appropriate manner, so as to provide an open-ended bed or lounge.

The chair shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C is formed of tubular members 60 and 62 of cylindrical cross-section, and which are cut diagonally to produce the illustrated cylindrical shapes. The tubular members 60 and 62 have the same diameter and both may be cut from the same tube. Appropriate fabric 64 is affixed in a taut condition across the top of the member 62 to receive the person.

The top of the chair shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C forms an ellipse which matches the ellipse defined by a reclining human body. In this way a person can recline in perfect comfort on the chair. The top half alone may be used as a pool chair, or the like, if so desired.

The cabinet of FIG. 7 is formed of a cylindrical member 70 which may be composed of any of the materials referred to previously herein. A side opening is formed in the member 70, as shown. A plurality of disc-shaped members 72 are affixed to the inner surface of the member 70 at spaced positions, with the members 72 parallel to one another. The disc-shaped members 72 may be adhesively attached to the member 70, or other appropriate fasteners may be used.

The cabinet of FIG. 7 may be hung from a wall on appropriate hangers, or it may be attached to the wall by screws or any other suitable fastener. The members 72 may be formed of hard plastic, orof other appropriate material. As shown, the the members 72 are accessible through the opening in the member 70, and they may be used to support books, or other objects.

The cabinet of FIG. 8 is essentially the same as the cabinet of FIG. 7, except that the shelves, or disc-like members 72, are replaced by a shelf 80 mounted in a tubular member 82. The tubular member is intended to be hung, or screwed to a wall with the shelf 80 in a horizontal position, as shown.

The assemblies of FIGS. 7 and 8 are solid, sturdy and structurally sound. The shelf 80 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 is accessible through an opening in the tubular member 82.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of shapes and sizes of furniture, other than those shown in the drawings may be made in the practice of the present invention, and that the concept may be extended to other articles of furniture, such as tables, shelves and the like. Therefore, while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apreciated that modifications may be made, and it is inended to cover all modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention in the appended claims.

It will be appreciated thata wide variety of shapes and sizes of furniture, other than those shown in the drawings may be made in the practice of the present invention, and that the concept may be extended to other articles of furniture, such as tables, shelves and the like. Therefore, while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that modifications may be made, and it is intended to cover all modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of furniture including: a first element in the form of at least a section of an upright cylinder and forming a base for the article; and a second element mounted on said first element and attached thereto; said second element being in the form of a section of a cylinder and having an arcuate shape defining a curved surface corresponding to the arc ofa circle and forming a seat and a back for the article, in which said second element is mounted on the upper end of said first element so that the longitudinal axes of said first element and said second element cross at right-angles to one another.

2. The article of furniture defined in claim 1, in which said first element is in the form of a pair of sections of a cylinder spaced from one another, and in which said second element is supported on the upper ends of the two sections forming said first element.

3. The article of furniture defined in claim 1,- and which includes a plurality of elongated cylinders of resilient material supported on the arcuate surface of said second element adjacent to one another and in parallel relationship with one another and with the axis of the arcuate surface of said second element.

4. The article of furniture defined in claim 3, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are formedof foam plastic and are covered with fabric material.

5. The article of furniture defined in claim 3, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material have different diameters so as to constitute a good fit for the body.

6. An article of furniture including: a first element in the form of a base; and a second element mounted on said first element and attached thereto, said second element defining a curved surface forming a seat and a back for the article of furniture; and a plurality of elongated cylinders of resilient material supported on the curved surface of said second element and mounted adjacent to one another and in parallel relationship with one another and with the axis of the curved surface of said second element.

7. The article of furniture defined in claim 6, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are of foam plastic and are covered with fabric material.

8. The article of furniture defined in claim 6, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are of different diameters so as to constitute a good fit for the body.

* I l i 

1. An article of furniture including: a first element in the form of at least a section of an upright cylinder and forming a base for the article; and a second element mounted on said first element and attached thereto; said second element being in the form of a section of a cylinder and having an arcuate shape defining a curved surface corresponding to the arc of a circle and forming a seat and a back for the article, in which said second element is mounted on the upper end of said first element so that the longitudinal axes of said first element and said second element cross at right-angles to one another.
 2. The article of furniture defined in claim 1, in which said first element is in the form of a pair of sections of a cylinder spaced from one another, and in which said second element is supported on the upper ends of the two sections forming said first element.
 3. The article of furniture defined in claim 1, and which includes a plurality of elongated cylinders of resilient material supported on the arcuate surface of said second element adjacent to one another and in parallel relationship with one another and with the axis of the arcuate surface of said second element.
 4. The article of furniture defined in claim 3, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are formed of foam plastic and are covered with fabric material.
 5. The article of furniture defined in claim 3, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material have different diameters so as to constitute a good fit for the body.
 6. An article of furniture including: a first element in the form of a base; and a second element mounted on said first element and attached thereto, said second element defining a curved surface forming a seat and a back for the article of furniture; and a plurality of elongated cylinders of resilient material supported on the curved surface of said second element and mounted adjacent to one another and in parallel relationship with one another and with the axis of the curved surface of said second element.
 7. The article of furniture defined in claim 6, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are of foam plastic and are covered with fabric material.
 8. The article of furniture defined in claim 6, in which said elongated cylinders of resilient material are of different diameters so as to constitute a good fit for the body. 